Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1898 — Assessor Can Inspect B. & L. Books. [ARTICLE]

Assessor Can Inspect B. & L. Books.

According to a ruling of the Supreme court a few days ago a county assessor has the right to inspect the books of building and lean associations to learn whether all the stock therein has been properly listed for taxation, and to obtain a writ of mandamus to compel their production for that purpose. The Supreme court reversed the case of the state on relation of the county assessor of Monroe county against the Real Estate Building and Loan association, in which the lower court held that he had not. The Supremo court says that it is the policy of this state to subject all private property to taxution except such held for municipal, educational, literary, religious or charitable purposes as may be specially exempted by lnvv, and that the county assessors have authority and it is mude their duty, to search for; discover, list and assess all omitted property subject to taxation, and to compel the production of books and papers needed in conducting the search.